Elsie Estella (Chalfant) Collins, 88, daughter of David H. and Thelma King Chalfant, was born Sept. 11, 1924, in Richland, Mo. She peacefully left this earth March 27, 2013, at the Life Care Center, Waynesville, Mo.
Estella was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Homer; one brother, Hollis; a son, Roger; a stepson, Carl; son-in-law, Reide; a great-great grandson, Ryan Wesley; sister-in law, Bonnie Odle; and five step-granddaughters.
She is survived by her children, Kaye Brinkmeyer of Lebanon Mo., Estella “Honey Bee” Scurlock (Pete) of Newburg, Mo., Edward “ED” Collins of Mountain Grove, Mo.; step-daughter, Norma Jean Hutsell of Bucyrus, Mo.; stepson, Dean Collins (Joy) of St. Joseph, Mo., daughter-in-law, Imogene Collins of Success, Mo., and Debbie Adams of Farmington, Mo.; three sisters, Mary S. Chalfant of Springfield, Mo., Maxene Scott and Eilene Brann of Lebanon, Mo.; half sister, Sue Hensley of Lee Summit, Mo., Nora Lee Hutsell of Houston, Mo.; half brother-in-law, Steve Collins of Houston, Mo.; 11 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; seven great-great grandchildren; nine step-grandchildren; 30 step great-grandchildren,;51 step great-great grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Estella grew up in the Richland, Mo., area. She was united in marriage to Homer E. Collins, and to this union four children were born. Estella was baptized at an early age and was a member of the First Christian Church in Richland, Mo. She was very active in the church as long as her health permitted, always ready to bake a pie or cookies, or do whatever was needed for the occasion.
Estella loved doing a variety of things including cooking, gardening, reading, sewing, bird watching, fishing, playing Bingo and traveling.
Estella never met a stranger. Wherever you went, you could be assured she would know someone and have to stop and visit for a minute or two. Estella loved talking about her grandkids. They all have special memories of the time they spent with “Grandma”.
She worked at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., for 30-plus years, retiring in 1986. She often stated, “I watched Fort Leonard Wood being built.” It was during that time that she met many people and made numerous friends over the years.
She lived a long life, along with family and friends, she will be missed but we know that she is enjoying the beauty of Heaven and is rejoicing in the place she has so long desired to see.
A Celebration of Life was held at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 30, at Evans Funeral Home with Bob Leinbaugh officiating. Inurnment was in Dykes Cemetery under the direction of Evans Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Life Care Center of Waynesville. Online condolences may be made to www.evansfh.com.
Paid
